Local groups collect for Afghan refugees and military members

James D. Wolf Jr., Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.

Sep. 9—Local organizations are collecting items for both military members and Afghan refugees at the Indiana USO base at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh.

Olde Towne Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), is partnering with Fisher Funeral Chapel to collect needed items.

There are two separate lists: one for the military members and one for the refugees.

"We want to hit not just the refugees. We also want to get the soldiers," said Diann Sedam, regent of Olde Towne Chapter.

Items may be dropped off at Fisher Funeral Chapel, 1801 Chase Road in Logansport, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 13.

The Walton Public Library is helping the DAR collect the items. There's a tote for donations in the library's front lobby, 110 N. Main St. in Walton.

Both the Royal Center United Methodist Church, 100 Kramer St. in Royal Center, and the Radnor United Methodist Church, 2696 S. 585 West in Delphi, are collecting for refugees.

Pastor Branden Scott, who leads both churches, asks that people contact him at 574-721-9897 or at branden.scott@inumc.org to schedule a drop-off time.

Scott stated that the influx of refugees into the United States is second only to World War II.

Camp Atterbury was informed they can expect approximately 5,000 refugees by the end of the week.

"These people are literally uprooted from everything they had and everything they owned," he said.

They especially need baby formula and diapers, and the churches' first drop-off is scheduled for Sept. 18.

The military members need snack items, hygiene items (including hand sanitizer), kitchen items and stationery, like printer paper and stamps. The refugees need everything from clothing (all ages and genders) and sunscreen to food, water and hygiene items.

The DAR's list for both service people's needs and refugee's needs can be found on the Fisher Funeral Chapel Facebook page, tinyurl.com/nrptrdjb.

A list of what the Afghan families need is posted at the Royal Center United Methodist Church Facebook page, tinyurl.com/4j6a7sy5.

Those who'd like to contribute financially to the refugees can do so at https://fundraise.teamrubiconusa.org/give/355135/#!/donation/checkout.

Scott said there will soon be an Amazon wishlist of items they need, too.

Reach James D. Wolf Jr. at james.wolf@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5117

Twitter @JamesDWolfJr